aibu to feel slightly on edge when I come across women in the full black burka?

[caroleharolde]

I just always feel slightly threatened, I know the vast majority of Muslims are lovely nonviolent people but.just this sight always unnerve me. Be honest, who hadn't felt a bit uncomfortable when passing by a huddle of the burqa wearers? Not trying to be racist, I'd feel the same if it were Christians or Jews or any other religion wearing it.

Once again body which country are you talking about? Some one needs to tell that website your all using to update their facts. There are female government ministers in many muslim countries. Pakistan which many of ypu keep citing had a female head of state before the usa which still hasn't. What mythical place are you talking about?

Yes I know about the change in law. Brought about in no small by pressure applied from other countries...

peaceful Saudi Arabia is allowing women to vote in 2015.

women can't drive or travel without her make relatives permission.

please go and figure.

To me it's just nonsensical to think that wearing the niquab has anything to do with women's liberation. I find it shocking that feminists take this line about 'not telling other women what to wear. I think these women should be free to dress how they like - bit I am also free to criticise and I don't think it helps gender equality to dress in a niquab. Quite the opposite. .

Do you remember the fire in the girls school where the local elders refused to let the wee ones out because they were not covered up - and they burned to death. Probably having a nice time in paradise now though, eh.

peaceful Saudis Arabia where a woman can only accuse a man of rape if she has male witnesses.

vile vile regime.

I am astounded at how deluded some of you are who are trying to save the muslims from themselves. I wonder how many of you would dare to approach a muslim woman in real life and tell her you want to save her from the men. Would your ignorance shine through? Yes. It does online anyway. Wonder if you would have the nerve or guts to make public your anti muslim sentiments without having the security to hide behind your screens. And you criticise niqab wearers for hiding. You believe they are oppressed by muslim men, what is your excuse for oppressing the muslim women?

For those who are using this topic to criticise muslims and islam, your attitudes stink. Islam is here to stay and muslim niqabis have a right to wear what they wear. You can be as offended as you like, the niqabis are here to stay.

defuse get over yourself, people are allowed to disagree with, or not understand something, on the internet or in real life.

It is a step forward

80 years ago Saudi was a country of tribes

we were still fighting for our right to vote 100 years

Interpret it how you like why should I care or pay attention to it? Ive already told you that's not how its interpreted by the vast majority of muslim scholars. What some random mumsnetter whose opinion has no relevance or import to my life makes no difference to me? That's what I find funny that you think your interpretations of our religion should make a difference to muslim women. yeah your opinions that are also coloured heavily by your own indoctrination. Let me giveyou an example. I work in a job where I have to speak publicly in front of large groups of people. Once a non muslim colleague asked me if I felt I couldn't express myself because of my headscarf. As if a little piece of cloth means I cant open my mouth and say whats in my head. But that the problem in this society the way you look and dress is about expressing something about yourself so you expect others to put equal importance to it. Its just clothes not a billboard advertising who you are. How could you express all that you are in material garments. Its just silly.

also defuse what do those particular passages from the Qur'an mean to you? not exactly making men look great, are they? what would you say to a Muslim women who disliked the burka?

i'm fairly certain that if you wear a garment because of your beliefs, you're expressing something about yourself

do you know any Muslim women ? Maybe you could ask them? You are being very rude and dismissive of the Muslim women who have posted here though

Why are you so hostile? Do they not fit your image of oppressed wall flowers in need of rescuing?

And this type of colonial feminism is the scariest totally agree with you - it's patronising, dismissive and unhelpful

Its hilarious that people keep coming back to Saudi what does the law in Saudi have to do with muslim women's rights in the UK. What do you want to collectively punish all muslims for abuses against women in one country. You frequently mention that women cant drive in Saudi well I drive. Women in many muslim countries drive to including Pakistan, UAE, Turkey, MAlaysia, INdonesia, Qatar, Senegal and Sudan. Why is what happens in Saudi the only important thing? There is an epidemic of violence, killing and rape of women in Mexico which is a predominately Catholic country shall I blame the bible for that. In INdia thousands possibly millions of female embryos are aborted each year shall I blame HInduism for that.

there are many, many aspects of Christianity that i don't agree with. that racist too? it's nothing to do with saving anyone from anyone, disagreeing with something doesn't mean you actively want to ban anything? i don't give a shit how people like to express themselves as long as they're not hurting anyone in the process but i'm certainly allowed to disagree with it. why the hell should you try to stop anyone from voicing an opinion by comparing them to murderers?

I don't expect my opinion to make any difference to the small number of muslim women who choose to wear these garments.

We are all just saying what we think. It's not 'colonialism' to state that you disagree with a mode of dress which contradicts the values you hold dear. It's an opinion. As a white western woman I have as much right as anyone else to comment...why not

hey gordy if you can find a quote from me suggesting that all muslim women are oppressed wallflowers then i'll accept that comment.

I think the covered lady probably feels the same when she sees people walking around with their bits hanging out.

Live and let live. Its ridiculous to judge people based on their looks and/or religion.

well your tacit dismissal of the possibility that they may choose to wear a Burka is a good starting point

Zaraorklara - thank you.

peaceful the bible could be seen as responsible for a great many terrible things, as it happens.

not once have i denied that they may choose to so that's bullshit really. however, i have questioned why they would want to. and i have stated that i don't believe no muslim women feels they have to.